Houses for tsunami-hit families by June next: TN Minister

Chennai, June 20 (UNI) Tsunami-affected 1,106 families living in North Chennai would be given pucca houses by June next year, Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy said today.

A decision to this effect was taken at a review meeting held at the State Secretariat here.

Of the 1,392 houses constructed for tsunami victims in Tondiarpet area, allotment of houses for 991 families would be made by the end of this month and the beneficiaries for the balance 401 houses would be identified by the Chennai District Collector and the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board.

''The remaining 1,106 families will be given houses by the end of June next year'', he added.

Mr Veerasamy said 28,200 houses were constructed for the tsunami victims in coastal districts of the state. About 22,000 of the 54,200 families were given houses and the construction work was in progress with the help NGos to house the remaining families.

He said tenders were invited for construction of 22,000 houses at a cost of Rs 552 crore for those living within 1000 metre of the seashore.

Moreover, a feasibility report was prepared for construction of 31,000 houses at a cost of Rs 900 crore and the project report sent to the World Bank for financial assistance.

Mr Veer as any also announced that the centre had allotted Rs 165 crore following a letter by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram seeking fund allocation for construction of houses for tsunami victims.

Construction of houses for the 13,000 victims in South Chennai area would commence soon, the minister added.

UNI